Bakı beat Neftçi to win Azerbaijani Cup

Champions Neftçi PFK were unable to put the seal on a domestic double after losing 2-0 against Bakı FK in the Azerbaijani Cup final.

Neftçi made a positive start and were unlucky not to take the lead when Brazilian Flavinho wasted a golden opportunity, before Rashad Abdullayev's free-kick rattled the woodwork moments later. The Azerbaijani Premier League champions soon became architects of their own downfall, though, when a defensive lapse allowed Bakı's Sergio Koke a free shot on goal, which he duly dispatched.

Neftçi raised the tempo in search of an equaliser but in doing so left themselves vulnerable at the back and paved the way for Bakı's second goal, Juninho's audacious 25-metre strike concluding an incisive counterattack. Despite the introduction of Neftçi's top goalscorer Bakhodir Nasimov after the break, Bakı's immaculate defensive performance ensured they lifted the cup for a third time.

"We wanted to make amends for our unsuccessful league campaign before this final," said midfielder Aleksandar Šolić. "A club of Bakı's calibre can't end the season without trophies. However, our main objective is a successful run in Europe. I think we have the potential to succeed."